Paul Walker dies in car crash

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (AP) — A publicist for actor Paul Walker says the star of the “Fast & Furious” movie series has died in a car crash north of Los Angeles. He was 40.

Ame Van Iden says Walker died Saturday afternoon.

A statement on Walker’s Facebook page said Walker was a passenger in a friend’s car, and that the crash happened while he was attending a charity event.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department said the crash happened in community of Valencia. The Santa Clarita Signal reports a red Porsche crashed into a light pole and tree and burst into flames.

Walker was working on the latest “Fast & Furious” movie at the time of his death. He also starred in the suspense drama, “Hours,” a movie that is set for release this month.

Hollywood stars and producers have taken to Twitter.com in an outpouring of grief following the death of actor.

In the subsequent hours after news broke of his death, dozens of Walker’s celebrity pals and ex co-stars reached out to his family to offer their condolences and memories of the likeable actor.

Vin Diesel, who worked with Walker on five “Fast & Furious” films, writes, “Brother, I will miss you very much. Heaven has gained a new angel. Rest in peace. My brother and I…..we aimed for the stars together….and achieved more than we ever hoped we could with f&f (Fast & Furious).”

Rapper Ludacris, who stars in the sixth and upcoming seventh installments of the hit franchise, adds, “Your humble spirit was felt from the start, wherever you blessed your presence you always left a mark, we were like brothers & our birthdays are only 1 day apart, now You will forever hold a place in all of our hearts paulwalker legacy will live on forever. R.I.P.”

Bosses at the franchise’s studio, Universal, add, “All of us at Universal are heartbroken. Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the Fast and Furious films.”

Jessica Alba, who starred opposite Walker in 2005’s “Into the Blue,” writes, “RIPPaulWalker – he was a lovely person – so sweet and grounded. My heart goes out to his family”, while his “The Skulls” co-star Joshua Jackson adds, “Damn. Hard to imagine someone so full of life taken so soon. My thoughts go out to your family. RIP Pauly Walker”

The cast of 1999 teen hit “She’s All That” also remembered the heartthrob fondly. The movie’s star Rachael Leigh Cook says, “Paul was a truly good person in a town of questionable characters… A real life tragedy if there ever was one.”, and Gabrielle Union writes, “This is awful. Awful. RIPPaulWalker pls (please) pray for his family, friends & fans. We’ve lost a great, laid back, sweet, cool man & father.”

His death comes just days after Walker gave a moving interview, in which he spoke about how he was enjoying life as a dad to his teenage daughter Meadow since she had moved in with him last year.

He said, “She started living with me last year just when I was leaving to go to work on “Fast (& Furious 6).” It’s really kind of tearing on me trying to maintain the balance. She just turned 15 and it’s a critical time. I’m big with analogies so I look at it like this big rocket ship and she’s on this launching pad.